Recommendations on soap?

[Shogan]

Hi guys,

I've been shaving with a DE for a little over a year now- I've just stuck with Truefitt & Hill shaving cream... (and I just checked on their site to see they just recently launched a soap. Go figure!) 1805 scent is wonderful, and I have hardly any irritation with my skin. I did with Proraso, though. I have pretty sensitive skin on my face, and was wondering if you gentleman would be able to recommend any soaps? I have never used soaps before, so I have no knowledge with them.

Thank you!

-Sean

 

[Niles]

A couple of my favourites I would suggest to you are D.R. Harris and Cella. MWF is one that I love, but some people experience skin irritation from it.

 

[Attila]

Mike's Natural Shave soaps are wonderful. He makes one for sensitive skin as well. I find the quality of his soaps to be unmatched and he uses all natural high quality ingredients. You should give them a try. His soaps are my favorite since I have discovered them.

 

[tfinch]

+1 on Cella. It's a very easy soap to lather so it'd make a fine first soap. If you aren't fond of almond scents, RazoRock's line of Artisan shave soap has a pretty much identical consistency and a few scents to choose from. I particularly like their Boston Tea Party and Napoleon's Violet.

 

[jesperw]

+1 on Mikes! This is one of my absolute favourite soaps.

I really like MWF as well. Never heard about skin irritation from using MWF before. My skin always feels nice, smooth and moisturised after having used MWF.

 

[Shogan]

EDIT:

I wish I knew if they sold Mike'sto any local stores... I live in NYC, and it's made in Brooklyn. So I would assume/hope they would distribute to local stores? But I can't seem to find any of that information anywhere... I've already called Pasteur Pharmacy, which is a amazingly stocked store for all shaving needs...

 

[Attila]

EDIT:

I wish I knew if they sold Mike'sto any local stores... I live in NYC, and it's made in Brooklyn. So I would assume/hope they would distribute to local stores? But I can't seem to find any of that information anywhere... I've already called Pasteur Pharmacy, which is a amazingly stocked store for all shaving needs...

Well you could try contacting Mike directly. He was always quite prompt in his replies to me. I'm sure he could give you an answer to that.

 

[stryker4526]

You could try some Honeybee Spas (on eBay, a google search will bring up their page), Mike's Natural Soaps, Mama Bear Soaps, RazoRock, or some good old VDH Deluxe. All good soaps, from what I understand.
I personally have some Mike's, Honeybee, Mama Bear, and RazoRock soaps on the way to try out!

 

[Shogan]

Thanks all for the prompt responses. I'll be heading to my local heavily stocked shaving supply store to get some or the recommended soaps tonight. It's always exciting trying something new. Like bringing a Lego box back to your house when you were a kid.

 

[mharris127]

You could try some Honeybee Spas (on eBay, a google search will bring up their page), Mike's Natural Soaps, Mama Bear Soaps, RazoRock, or some good old VDH Deluxe. All good soaps, from what I understand.
I personally have some Mike's, Honeybee, Mama Bear, and RazoRock soaps on the way to try out!

Here is Honeybee's site: http://www.honeybeesoaps.net/catalog.php/HoneybeeSoaps/ct22125

The owner is a member here but she does not have a vendor membership so she cannot discuss her product. However, I can and it is actually a good shave soap, the sticks (they come in deodorant-type containers) are quite convenient. Just be sure to soak the tip for about ten to fifteen minutes (use the cap and stand up upside down into the water-filled cap) before attempting to apply to your face.

 

[ricardo9505]

hahahaha
you'll get tons of recommendations.
for your needs:
D.R. Harris
Mikes Natural
Gold Dachs

& I trust you are not confusing skin irritation with razor burn. which does happen ever so often. just food for thought

 

[stryker4526]

Here is Honeybee's site: http://www.honeybeesoaps.net/catalog.php/HoneybeeSoaps/ct22125

The owner is a member here but she does not have a vendor membership so she cannot discuss her product. However, I can and it is actually a good shave soap, the sticks (they come in deodorant-type containers) are quite convenient. Just be sure to soak the tip for about ten to fifteen minutes (use the cap and stand up upside down into the water-filled cap) before attempting to apply to your face.

I ordered the puck, myself. Glad to hear more praise for it though. I'll probably post a thread about it after my first shave.

 

[Jut]

cella, arko are my go to soaps

 

[Riff Raff]

I have to chime in and excentuate what has already been stated: CELLA! Awesome soap. Tabac is also outstanding as is MWF. If you ever get the chance to try Jabonman soaps from Spain, I can't endorse the enough. Manuel makes some of the best soaps I have ever tried. But he is definately a boutique soap.

Just my $0.02!

 

[mharris127]

cella, arko are my go to soaps

Arko is excellent as is its new competition GZD. Both come in stick form but can be smushed into a mug using a large prescription or vitamin bottle. Derby is also cheap and comes in either a 75g stick or a 140g puck, I just received mine but haven't tried it yet. Bestshave is the cheapest source I have found (unless you want to buy 12 sticks at once -- I know I don't need 12 sticks on hand as I already have many various soaps and creams) but with the Turkish Post in disarray packages are taking 6-8 weeks to be delivered. The Turkish Post is also closed from 24th-29th October 2012 for some holiday they have over there so you have plenty of time to take a look at their site. The address is www.bestshave.net.

 

[mharris127]

I have to chime in and excentuate what has already been stated: CELLA! Awesome soap. Tabac is also outstanding as is MWF. If you ever get the chance to try Jabonman soaps from Spain, I can't endorse the enough. Manuel makes some of the best soaps I have ever tried. But he is definately a boutique soap.

Just my $0.02!

I agree with Tabac being excellent if a bit finicky. However, I am hesitant to recommend it because of its high price tag compared to Arko, VDH, GZD, etc. Cella and MWF are in the same higher price point. In this case it may be appropriate to recommend these as the OP has been using T&H which costs more yet but most people don't want to part with that kind of cash until they have established a routine for shaving with a DE.

In the OP's case (with his allergic reaction to Proraso) Tabac may irritate until it has aired out for a month or so. Cella may be a no-go from what I have heard about allergic reactions. MWF may be OK unless he has a rare lanolin allergy.

 

[attime6]

MWF
Arko
EJ Soaps Aloe Vera or Sea Buckthorn

 

[5savages]

I'm a huge fan of Mystic Water soaps. Definitely one of my favorites, it lathers very easily for me and provides skin care which can't be beat. Scents are phenomenal as well, without being overbearing.

http://www.mystic4men.com/

 

[Shogan]

Update!

Sorry I haven't updated... but I went to the store and got some Cella, RazoRock, and a refil of Truefitt & Hill 1805 (have the cream and love the scent).

I tried the Cella, and absolutely LOVE it. The smell is fantastic, and the smoothness is very noticeable from what i've used before. Also makes a great lather.

Haven't had time to try the others...and kind of don't want to now since using the Cella. but sooner or later I will!

 

[Shogan]

hahahaha
you'll get tons of recommendations.
for your needs:
D.R. Harris
Mikes Natural
Gold Dachs

& I trust you are not confusing skin irritation with razor burn. which does happen ever so often. just food for thought

Oh I've had quite my experience with razor burn as well, don't you worry... But my face sometimes doesn't like certain things, and can become irritated. Especially items that have sodium lauryl sulfate, and sodium laureth sulfate. They're just very cheap and bad for your skin, and my skin does NOT like them. But when I start running low or want to try something new, i'm going to give Mike's Natural a try. Many people love it, and the guy is from Brooklyn (and i'm in NYC) so it'll get here very quickly.